NPR Journalist Natalie Y. Moore to Keynote Skyway Writers Festival at Prairie State College (Chicago Heights, IL) – Prairie State College will host this year’s Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Writers Competition and Festival on Thursday, Nov. 13, bringing together student writers from community colleges across the region for workshops, readings and awards.
The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. in the Prairie State College Conference Center, and will feature NPR journalist and author Natalie Y. Moore as the keynote speaker. Moore, a reporter for WBEZ Chicago, will deliver her address at 4 p.m.
Moore is widely known for her reporting on race, housing and economic development. Her 2016 book The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation won the Chicago Review of Books Award for nonfiction and was recognized by national publications. She has also contributed essays and commentary to outlets across the country.
Students from eight Skyway member colleges submitted original works in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama/screenplay categories for this year’s competition. The festival will include student readings, writing workshops, an open mic session, and time for networking with peers and instructors.
This year’s panel of judges includes:
Poetry: Jacob Boyd, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay faculty member and author of the forthcoming No Lost Feast.
Nonfiction: Geoffrey Brown, veteran journalist and retired Chicago Tribune editor.
Fiction: Bayo Ojikutu, author of 47th Street Black and Free Burning, and recipient of multiple national literary honors.
Drama/Screenplay: Lucky Ray, actress, poet, and author of Dear Black People: You Are Loved, with acting credits including Chicago Fire and The Equalizer.
The festival is part of the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference’s ongoing efforts to support the arts and highlight emerging student writers. Organizers say the event is designed to encourage creativity and provide young writers with professional insight and connection.
Event Details:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Noon–5 p.m.
Prairie State College Conference Center
202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights
For more information, contact: studentengagement@prairiestate.edu.
NPR Journalist Natalie Y. Moore to Keynote Skyway Writers Festival at Prairie State College
